Kids can be irresponsible, and sometimes, that irresponsibility lands them in a situation where they have to go to court. If your child has been charged with a juvenile crime, it is crucial you take proactive steps to protect their rights and defend against the charges. A juvenile conviction in Ohio can drastically change your child’s life and impact their education, future employment, and wellbeing.
The attorneys at Moermond & Mulligan, LLC have over 50 years of collective experience as criminal defense attorneys and have an established track record in managing juvenile criminal cases in Dayton and Ohio. Even with good parenting and good schools, children sometimes make mistakes, and one mistake shouldn’t ruin their lives. We can defend your child’s rights and manage their case in a way that protects their privacy and future prospects.
Contact us online or call Moermond & Mulligan, LLC today at (937) 228-9790 to speak to a juvenile crimes attorney in Dayton.
Differences Between Ohio’s Juvenile and Adult Criminal Systems
In Ohio, when a minor (a person under the age of 18) commits a misdemeanor or felony offense, they will go through the juvenile justice system. The juvenile justice system in Ohio differs from the adult justice system in key ways related to its purpose and the processes it uses.
Rehabilitation vs. Punishment
The adult justice system focuses on punishment and deterrence. Punishments such as confinement and probation serve to punish offenders for bad behavior and disincentivize further law-breaking. Imprisonment in the adult system also functions to separate dangerous individuals from the general population.
The focus of the juvenile system is rehabilitation. The goal of the system is to rehabilitate juvenile offenders so they become law-abiding adults. To that end, juvenile systems focus more on fostering change and development and creating roads to a productive future.
Adjudication vs. GuiltÂ
Technically, in Ohio, minors in the juvenile system are not guilty of crimes. When a court determines a minor has committed an offense, they will designate the minor as an adjudicated delinquent, not a guilty criminal. This means adjudicated minors in Ohio do NOT have criminal convictions or criminal records, although adjudication can affect a minor’s employment or education prospects. This difference in terminology between guilty and adjudication reflects the juvenile system’s emphasis on rehabilitation and reform rather than punishment.
No JuryÂ
Juvenile offenders are not entitled to a jury of their peers like adult offenders. Instead, a judge or magistrate hears juvenile cases and decides them based on evidence and their judgment. Similarly, minors in Ohio do not undergo a trial and instead have an adjudication hearing. Grand juries also do not exist in juvenile cases, and law enforcement and the prosecutor instead bring the charges.
Parents’ RoleÂ
Given their role in shaping children’s environment, behavior, and values, parents and families play a key role in the juvenile justice system. Juvenile cases not only concern the individual child but also their family and home life. Attorneys will discuss possible defense strategies with parents and be present at court hearings.
Common Juvenile CrimesÂ
Juveniles sometimes commit violent crimes, like rape or murder, but these serious felonies make up a small minority of juvenile cases. Most juvenile crimes in Dayton consist of less serious offenses, such as:
- Simple assault
- Possession of alcohol/drugs
- Underage driving
- Disorderly conduct
- Truancy
- Theft and shoplifting
- Traffic violations
- Vandalism
However, some juveniles can become involved in serious offenses, such as:
- Drug trafficking
- Grand theft auto
- Weapons crimes
- Robbery
- Sexual assault
- Homicide
In Dayton specifically, police have noted increased rates of juvenile gun crime, motor vehicle theft, menacing, and stealing property.
Punishments for Juvenile CrimesÂ
Another major aspect where the juvenile and adult justice systems differ is the penalty for offenses. Juvenile crimes do not involve incarceration in correctional facilities, and punishment favors more construction solutions, such as:
- Community service
- Administrative suspensions (e.g., driver’s license)
- Psychological counseling
- Drugs/alcohol testing
- Community control (e.g., probation)
- Placement in temporary custody
- House arrest
- Educational attendance requirements
- Fines and court costs
- Curfew imposition
- Detention in a juvenile facility
Courts will decide an adjudicated minor’s sentence at a dispositional hearing. The judge will consider several factors when determining the appropriate punishment, such as previous offenses, the presence of remorse, the minor’s home life, and their conduct during proceedings.
Serious Youth Offender Designation in OhioÂ
In 2002, Ohio introduced legislation creating the serious youthful offender (SYO) designation and applicable sentencing rules (ORC 2152.13). SYO sentencing is sometimes called a blended sentence and is reserved for youths who commit certain violent offenses while having a previously adjudicated delinquency. Youths under SYO sentencing rules are not tried in adult courts, but their sentencing can involve elements of juvenile and adult sentences. Very often, the form of this punishment is an adult sentence that is stayed until the minor completes their juvenile disposition.
In order for SYO sentencing rules to apply, the offender must be at least ten years old, and one of the following must be true:
- The offender committed an act of violence.
- The offender used or displayed a firearm while committing the act.
- The youth offender has a previous commitment to a Department of Youth Services facility.
Why You Should Hire a Juvenile Crimes AttorneyÂ
Ohio’s juvenile system focuses on rehabilitating offenders, but that does not mean that juvenile record is not a serious matter and doesn’t have negative impacts on your child’s life. Aside from the immediate punishment and penalties, juvenile offenders can face long-term consequences. Juvenile proceedings can disrupt your child’s education, and depending on the offense, juvenile offenders may have difficulty receiving financial aid for school. They can lose driving privileges and become socially ostracized by their peers. Studies have also shown that children who interact significantly with the juvenile justice system are more likely to re-offend and have worse life outcomes than those who do not.
A juvenile defense attorney can meet these challenges and protect your child’s rights while mitigating the worst of the consequences of an adjudication. Vulnerable minors need legal protection more than most, and our firm can provide the support you and your family need to navigate through difficult circumstances. We can investigate your child’s case and represent them in juvenile proceedings to secure an outcome most favorable to their wellbeing. We believe in second chances, and a single mistake should not irreparably damage a child’s life.
Juvenile Crime in Dayton FAQÂ
Below are some of the most common questions we receive about juvenile crimes and the juvenile criminal system in Dayton and Ohio.
Do Juvenile Convictions Show Up on Background Checks?Â
Sometimes. Juvenile adjudications are technically not criminal convictions, and so are not on the public record of the court. However, specific juvenile convictions, such as those for violent offenses, can show up on background checks for certain types of employment. Specifically, juvenile offenses related to murder, aggravated murder, and registration-eligible sex crimes will appear on Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) background checks.
Can You Expunge Juvenile Convictions?Â
Yes, you can expunge juvenile records. First, you must request the court seal the records. Unlike in adult courts, sealing a juvenile record is not the same as expunging it. To seal a juvenile record, you must first wait at least six months after the adjudication or until the offender is 18. After that, you can apply to seal the records and attend a hearing where a judge will decide. Once a juvenile record is sealed, it will automatically become expunged after five years or when the offender turns 23, whichever is first. Expunged juvenile records are effectively permanently irretrievable and should not show up on background checks.
Can Juveniles Be Charged As Adults in Ohio?
Yes, juvenile courts may transfer a minor’s case to an adult court for specific crimes, mostly felony offenses. Trying a minor as an adult is mandatory when the offense is aggravated murder, and the minor is at least 16, or the child is at least 14 and has a previous adjudication for a juvenile felony offense (ORC 2152.12). Courts can also have discretion to try minors older than 14 as adults for serious felony offenses.
If a juvenile is tried in an adult court, they can be subjected to the same adult penalties, such as jail time in an adult facility and probation. If your child is facing a charge in an adult court, it is imperative you speak to a defense attorney to discuss defense strategies.
Contact a Juvenile Crime Defense Attorney in Dayton
Juvenile crimes are a serious matter and warrant a similarly serious response. If your child is currently subject to underage criminal charges, time is of the essence. Without an attorney to assist, the state might subject your child to the maximum punishment, which can have innumerable detrimental effects. The attorneys at Moermond & Mulligan, LLC are experienced in navigating Ohio’s juvenile justice system and can stand firmly beside you and your family to offer our guidance and protection.
Don’t try to handle your child’s case on your own or trust your luck to a public defender. Contact our office online or call (937) 228-9790 today for a free, no-obligation case consultation with a juvenile criminal defense attorney in Dayton.
Last Updated: 04-08-2025